Ink receptacle



Dec 7 1,518,738

(1. w. HAHN INK REQEPTACLE Filed April '7, 1921 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

lhSidJiBh rarest CLARENCE "W. HAHN, OF FLUSI-HNG, NEW YORK.

INK RECEPTACLE.

Application filed. April 7, 1921.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Cnnnnrvon W. Hat-1N. a citizen or" the United States, residing at F lushing, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ink Receptacles, of which the following is a full. clear. and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to ink receptacles and more particularly to such devices suited for school or institutional use Where resistance to mutilation and displacement is of prime importance.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple. neat and substantial device for holding ink wherein the well cup is protected against unauthorized removal and which is applicable to preexisting installations.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ink well whose exposed parts are entirely of metal to resist mutilation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned wherein the well cup may be readily re moved when desired, and wherein the same is normally automatically kept in substan tially air-tight, dust-proof condition by improved means.

' Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter in connec-' tion with the following description of a typical embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved ink receptacle;

Fig. 2 is a central section of the device;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the selfclosing stopper.

As best shown in Fig. 2 the illustrated embodiment of the invention includes a supporting plate 1 adapted to be fastened underneath a desk top 2 or similar article of furniture and having a depressed seat for an ink well 3, and a cover or cap plate 4- adaptcd in the embodiment shown to be permanently secured over the desk top. The cover plate 4- is provided with an aperture 5 through which a pen may be dipped into the ink and oi. a size smaller than that of the well cup. The supporting plate 1 is adapted to be permanently and immovably' secured to the desk top by bolts in the fol Serial No. 459,226.

lowing manner. One bolt 6 is passed through a hole in the supporting plate 1 and driven through the desk top 2, so as to be forcibly held thereby. A nut 7 is then screwed on the end of the bolt 6 projecting below the supporting plate and the end of the bolt is preterably riveted against the nut as shown to provide a permanent engagement. A second bolt 8 having a square shank fitting within a squared hole in the supporting plate driven through the desk top near the other end oi the device and is fastened firmly thereagainst by a nut 9. As mentioned the supporting plate 1 is provided with a seat in which the well cup 3 is fitted. An annular washer 10 of rubber or similar material may be provided for the upper edge of the well cup. The cover plate 4 comprises a substantially fiat metal plate having rounded edges and is adapted to lie substantially flush with the upper surface of the desk top. Adjacent one end the plate a is provided with an elongated aperture 11 intowhich a tongue 12 projects laterally for engagement with a groove 13 in the bolt 6. A larger recess 14. is cut in the cover plate adjacent its other end and a slot 15 extends from the recess through the plate.

The cover or cap plate may be permanently secured to the desk top in such a manner that when desired the ink well 3 may be removed by authorized persons for cleaning. In mounting the parts the supporting plate 1 is first fastened immovably to the under surface of the desk top by the bolts 6 and 8 and the well cup 3 with its washer 10 is placed in its seat on the'supporting plate. The cover plate 4- is then applied vertically to the desk so that the bolt 6 passes through the aperture 11 and the bolt 8 through the slot 15 of the cover plate. The plate is then moved horizontally to the left (in Fig. 2) so that the projecting tongue 12 fits within the depression 13 of the bolt 6 in the position shown. A nut 16 is threaded on the end of the bolt 8 projecting into the recess 1.4. of the plate and tightened on the bolt against the engaged portion oi: the plate so as to clamp the cover plate in its locked position. A key 17 of the kind known technically as banjo keys may be provided for screwing the nut 16 on the bolt 8 and has a tapering hexagonal recess in which the nut 16 may be pressed and thus conveniently applied to the bolt 8.. The upper end of the bolt 8 is preferably riveted as shown to prevent removal of the cover plate. For convenience the nuts 9 and 16 are alike. so that the same key may used for both.

When it is desired to remove the well cup 3 for cleaning or replacen'ient the nut 16 is loosened on the bolt 8 and the cover plate is moved horizontally to the right in Fig. 2 so that the tongue 13 is disengaged from the groove 12. The plate l is then tilted upwardly to clear the end of the bolt and swung to one side about the bolt 8 as a pivot. allowing access to the well cup 3 and removal thereof.

The recess 14L should be just large enough to allow application of the key and to permit the sliding movement mentioned when desired and the nut 16 is countersunk considerably below the upper surface of the cover plate to prevent the insert-ion of a. lnife blade or similar implement in an improper attempt toloosen the nut 16.

The dipping aperture 5 is adapted to be kept normally automatically closed, and at the same time to allow convenient insertion of a pen when desired. For this purpose a valve member is pivoted on the under surface of the cover plate, and comprises a comparatively heavy body portion 18, forming' a closing counter-weight and a closure wing or tongue 19 extending substantially at right angles to the counter-weight 18. This valve member is preferably disposed within a recess formed in the under side of the cap plate, as shown in Fig. 2, and is pivotally carried on a pin or wire 21. which may be held by a removable bracket 20, or otherwise secured to the cover plate. The valve member is normally kept in closing position. as shown in Fig. 2 by virtue of the counterweight 18, and is biased toward closed position when opened. The under side of the cap plate is formed with closure ledges 22, 22 and 22 arranged adjacent the dipping aperture but preferably disposed outside the vertical bounds thereof, said ledges partially or wholly surrounding the dipping: aperture. The ledge 22" is inclined upwardly from the ledge 22. merging with the ledge 22 to which it is inclined, the latter ledge being substantially co-incident with the under sun face of the cap plate. It will be understood that ledges 22 and 22 as disclosed in 2 will be disposed on the opposite lateral sides of the dipping aperture. The valve member is adapted to swing freely on its axis 21, and its closing swing is limited by the closure ledges of the coverplate which lie in the path of the closure wing 19. The upper surface of the closure wing 19 is preferably formed with a concavity 23 which. forms a smooth contact surface for a pen. when inserted through the dipping opening. Marginal closure surfaces 19 and 19 are thus provided being adapted to co-operate.

with the closure ledges of the cap plate to form tight closure joints. This arrange ment allows a particularly deep concavi'j-f forming lateral lugs or projections for cooperation and guidance of the entering pen. The device is so positioned on the desk as to allow convenient openingofthe valve member by a pen inserted naturally at an angle as shown in Fig. 2. The pen may be inserted at different angles or vertically, and the disposition of the closure wing with its upwardly disposed concavity is such as to co-operate naturally with the entering pen for moving the valve member to open position. When the pen is removed. the counterweight operates to automatically close the valve member the aperture 5 being thus kept tightly closed when not in use the counterweight being prevented from swinging to its lowest inert position due to the inclined closure ledges, a constant closing pressure being thus continually exerted. Evan ration of the contents of the were thus prevented and the entry of dust or other foreign matter into the well avoided.

It will be observed that the dipopenin. 5 is provided with janibs extending laterally on opposite sides, but set back sufficiently to be out of the bounds of the opening. These jambs each comprises-a ledge 22 which is inclined or wedge shape and merges with a second ledge 22 formed substantially in the plane of or parallel with the flat under surface of the cap plate 4. These ledges thus meet at an angle providing a recess in the jamb so formed along the sides of the opening. The jambs thus have a longitudinally varying depth. and merge finally into-the depending portion 22 of the cap plate. The sides of the wing 19 of the closure member are correspondingly extended upwardly and have portions of varying height indicated at 19 and at 19 which meet substantially at an angle and mate respectively with the jamb portions 22 and Considering; now a medial cross section of the wing 19, taken in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the paper it will be seen that the wing is provided with projections at each side which decline gradually from the edges into'its plane. providing the wing as it were with an intermediate concavity or recess 23 for guiding the entrance of a pen. without in any manner having altered the undersurface of the cap plate. By means of the arrangement above described. the' undersurface of the cap plate has a closure iamb with which the wing 19 cooperates to form a quickly closing dip opening affording; when open a relatively large spacefor the insertion of the pen with substantially a minimum exposure to evaporation. Such construction provides a tight joint when the wing swings to closed position. the recess formed by the angularly' meeting ledges 22 and 22" being completely occupied by the angular projection formed by the closure edge portions 19 and 19 The construction described accomplishes the objects mentioned in an etficient manner, presents a neat appearance, and is readily applicable to school or oiiice desks without alteration. The parts are of metal through out except the well cup 3 which may be of glass or other suitable material for holding ink. The supporting, locking and clamping means of the device rest against metallic or protected surfaces thus effectively resisting mutilation or accidental injury. The clamping means are sunk well below the surface of the cover plate as previously mentioned so that displacement or unauthorized removal of the ink well is next to impossible. Ready access is allowed for cleaning by the use of the key in the manner described. All the parts are substantial and strong andthe locking and clamping means cooperate effectively to form a permanent desirable structure. .Obviously the valve member is not limited to use with the particular type of well or supporting plate shown. The angularity of the surfaces of the valve member as constructed are such as to afford a complete opening of the dipping aperture with a minimum swing of the valve 'mem ber, substantially less than 90 degrees, and the upper surface 23 is in use kept inclined as shown by the contact of its upper edge with the closure ledges of the cover plate to allow almost frictionless slipping of a pen therealong in the process of uncovering the aperture and dipping a pen.

It is evident that various alterations might be made in the construction described and illustrated without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing its advantages, and it is to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover the generic and specific features of the invention.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a cap for inkwells, in combination, a cap plate adapted to form a cover for an open-topped inkwell and having a dipping aperture therein normally disposed toward one side of the open top of the inkwell, a part of said plate being disposed to overlie the inkwell, opposed laterally disposed inclined closure ledges on the under side of said plate adjacent to and lying outside the bounds of said dipping aperture, a closure member for said aperture pivotally mounted on the under side of said plate at the side of said aperture, said closure member having a closure wing with opposed laterally disposed closure surfaces adapted to contact respectively with said inclined closure ledges to form a tight closing joint for said aperture while the closure wing is disposed in inclined position so complete uncovering of the dipping aperture may be effected by a pivotal movement of the closure member of substantially less than ninety degrees, and a closing counter weightfor said closure member disposed beneath the overlying part of said plate and being disposed in angular position with reference to the closure wing. I

2. n a cap for inkwells, in combination, a cap plate adapted to form a cover for well cups and the like, having a dipping aperture formed therein and provided with opposed laterally disposed closure ledges on. its under side adjacent to and lying outside the bounds of said aperture, said ledges being of longitudinally varying depth and having merging portions meeting substantially at an angle, a valve member for said dipping aperture pivotally mounted on the under side of said. plate and provided with a closure wing formed with opposite raised margins varying longitudinally in height and adapted to contact in mating relationship with the merging angular portions of said ledges to form a tight closing joint for said aperture when said wing is disposed thereagainst in. inclined position, whereby complete uncovering of the dipping aperture may be effected by the pivotal movement of the closure member swinging through an angle less than ninety degrees, said closure wing having a concaved transverse cross section, the concavity being disposed so as to be in alignment with the sidesof the dipping aperture for the guidance of an entering pen when the dipping aperture is uncovered, and a closing counter-weight for said valve member.

3. In a cap for inkwells, in combination, a cap plate adapted to form a cover for an inkwell and provided with a recess on its under side and having a dipping aperture therethrough in communication with said recess, opposed laterally disposed inclined closure ledges on the under side of said plate adjacent to and lying outside the bounds of said dipping aperture, a closure member for said aperture pivotally mounted on the under side of said plate at the side of said opening and within said recess, said closure member having a closure wing with surfaces adapted to contact with said inclined ledges to form a tight closing joint for said opening while said wing is disposed in inclined position so complete uncovering of the dipping aperture may be effected by pivotal movement of the closure member of substantially less than ninety degrees and so as to co-operate effectively with an entering pen to push said wing toward open position, and a closing counter-weight for said closure member disposed within said recess and being adapted to bias the closure member toward closed position.

4:. In a cap for inkwells, in combination,

a cap plate adapted to torn 1, a cover for an inkwell and having a dipping aperture therein, opposed laterally disposed closure ledges on the under side of said plate each having an inclined part and a part disposed at an angle to said inclined part substantially coinciding with the under surface oi said cap plate, a valve member pivotally mountedon the under side of said plate ant at the side of said aperture, said valve menr her having a closure wing with opposed laterally disposed raised flanges each provided with angularly disposed closure surfaces adapted to contactrespectively with the angularly disposed parts of said ledges to "form a tight closure joint for said aperture while theclosure wing is disposed in inclined position so complete uncovering of the dipping aperture may be effected by pivotal movement of the closure member of substantially less than 90 said closure wing also having a concavity in its upper face disposed between said closure flanges and in alignment with said dipping aperture for the reception and guidance of an entering pen, and a closing counter weighl for said closure member vdisposed beneath said cap plate and in angular position with reference to the closure wing and being at all times disposed beneath said cap plate and constantly urging said closure wing to sealing position.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a well cup, a supporting plate therefor having means to secure the same on the under side of a desk top; and a cover plate having a restricted aperture provided with a closure and having means to engage and clampsaid cover plate on the upper side of the desk top. 1

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a Well cup, a supporting plate having a cup seat, means to secure said supporting plate to a desk, a flat cover plate having a restricted aperture provided with a self-closing valve, means for securing said cover plate above said well cup and for locking said cover plate in stationary relationship thereto comprisingsaid sup porting plate securing means.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination, a well cup, a supporting plate therefor, bolts for attaching said plate to a desk, a cover plate having a restricted aperture provided with aself-closing valve, said cover plate having a tongue adapted to engage a groove in one ofsaid bolts, means to clamp said cover plate in engaged position including a nut on the other of said bolts countersunk in said plate, sa d cover plate being adapted when in unlocked condition to be moved horizontally and to be pivoted on said second bolt to uncover said well cup.

In testimony whereof I aifiXv my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE W. HAHN.

Witnesses:

HOMER M. SMITH, M. A. CAsHIN. 

